Why Is It?

Why is it that individuals who contribute the least to society gripe the most and loudest at the pharmacy? It never fails, but we had an individual who picked up approximately $1000 worth of medications tonight. Medicare (i.e. you, me and other productive members of society who pay taxes) paid for all but $6.40 of it. And I bet you can guess what happened next. That's right! This person griped and pitched a little fit over having to pay $6.40 for them. And, just so you don't find me an insensitive pig (actually, it's probably too late for that), this person was NOT a little senior citizen who will now have to choose between spending the $6.40 on medication or food. I nearly had a come-undone.

It really raises a bigger question about entitlement and what makes individuals feel entitled. There is a huge chunk of the population who feels that because of circumstances, whether of their own making or not, are entitled to special treatment. For instance, they feel the pharmacy should fill their prescription first, that they shouldn't have to wait like everyone else, that their insurance should pay more on their prescriptions, that they should be allowed to get refills early, etc. because "we deserve it." I actually had a lady come right out and say, I should be able to get my prescription now because I've worked hard my whole life and I think I'm entitled to it." I really had to bite my tongue to keep from saying that I didn't care what she'd done in her life. That nothing entitles her or makes her more important than anyone else. It's an interesting mentality that I don't think I'll ever grasp.